Immigration & Status · Permanent Residence
Confirmation of PR and landing in Canada
Your COPR makes you a PR the day you're 'landed' — here's what happens at the border and how your first PR card reaches you.
Your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) is proof that your PR application has been approved, but you do not officially become a permanent resident until an officer confirms your COPR at the border or through an online portal. This guide walks you through landing day, what happens with your goods, how to get your first PR card, and why checking every detail on your COPR before you travel is critical.
Understanding Your COPR and Landing
A COPR is the official document IRCC issues once your permanent residence application is approved. It includes your name, date of birth, immigration category, and an expiry date. However, receiving a COPR does not make you a permanent resident on its own. You become a permanent resident only when an officer validates it at landing, either in person at a Canadian port of entry or virtually through the online Permanent Residence Portal if you are already in Canada.
Landing from Outside Canada
If you are applying from outside Canada, you must travel to Canada and present your COPR, passport, and PR visa (if you require one) to a border officer at a port of entry—an airport or land border. The officer will verify your identity, check that nothing has changed in your eligibility, and validate your status. This validation process is quick and confirms you as a permanent resident on that date. Your permanent residency officially begins on the day you arrive and complete the landing interview.
Virtual Landing from Inside Canada
If you are already in Canada on a valid temporary status when your PR application is approved, IRCC will send you an email asking you to confirm your permanent residence through an online Permanent Residence Portal. You will be asked to provide your email address and confirm your physical presence and residential address in Canada. Once you complete this confirmation, IRCC will upload an electronic COPR (eCOPR) to your portal account, which can take a few weeks. Remember: you must be physically in Canada for IRCC to confirm your status. Declaring in the portal that you are in Canada does not by itself make you a permanent resident if you are outside the country.
Declaring Your Goods at the Border
When you land in Canada as a new permanent resident, you must declare all your personal and household goods—both the items you are bringing with you and any items arriving later. This is done using a settler's effects list, also called a Personal Effects Accounting Document (Form BSF186). Proper declaration is essential because only items listed on this form can be imported duty- and tax-free later. Goods not declared on arrival will be subject to regular import duties and taxes.
How to Declare Your Goods
Prepare two copies of a detailed list (preferably typed) before you arrive or at your first point of entry into Canada. Your list should be divided into two sections: goods accompanying you at the time of arrival and goods to follow. For each item or group of items, note the description, current value in Canadian dollars, make and model (for electronics or appliances), and serial number if available. For general household items like books, clothing, or dishes, grouping similar items with an overall value is acceptable. You do not need to list every single item individually.
- Present your two copies to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at your first point of entry.
- The officer will complete Form BSF186 and give you one stamped copy—keep this in a safe place.
- The stamped copy serves as your official record for importing goods to follow at any time in the future.
- There is no time limit for importing goods that were listed on your original declaration.
Getting Your First Permanent Resident Card
Your first PR card is issued automatically and mailed to you free of charge. You do not need to apply separately. Once your landing is confirmed—either at the border or through the online portal—you must provide IRCC with a Canadian mailing address within 180 days of becoming a permanent resident. This is the single most important deadline: if you do not provide an address within 180 days, IRCC will cancel your PR card and you will have to reapply and pay a processing fee.
Timeline for Card Arrival
After you confirm your address and submit a photo through your Permanent Residence Portal account, your first PR card typically takes 6 to 8 weeks to arrive by regular Canada Post mail. The card is sent only to addresses inside Canada; IRCC does not mail PR cards outside the country. Until your physical card arrives, you can use your eCOPR (the electronic version in your portal account) as proof of your permanent resident status. You can print and sign the eCOPR to verify your status, apply for government benefits, or apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN).
Checking Your COPR Before You Travel
The most important step after receiving your COPR is to check every single detail carefully and compare it against your passport. Errors on your COPR are far easier to fix before you land than after. If there are mistakes on the document, contact IRCC immediately to request a correction. Do not travel with an incorrect COPR, as you will not be able to fix it at the border—border officers cannot amend documents.
Common Errors to Check
- Your full name: spelling, order of names, and any initials or middle names must match your passport exactly.
- Your date of birth: even a single wrong digit can cause major issues with future renewals or visas.
- Your passport number: must be correct and match your current passport.
- Your citizenship: must match your passport and official citizenship documents.
- Your immigration category or stream: ensure it shows the correct pathway (e.g., Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Program).
- Your marital or family status: check that family members are correctly listed if applicable.
- The expiry date of your COPR: note when your document expires and ensure you land before that date.
How to Request a Correction
If you find an error, contact IRCC immediately using the web form available on the IRCC website or by contacting your visa office directly. Provide clear supporting documents such as your passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other official identification that proves the error. Corrections made by IRCC take a few weeks to process, so contact them as soon as you receive your COPR. Do not wait until the last moment before your travel date.
Your First Steps After Landing
Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is a nine-digit identifier required to work in Canada and access government programs and benefits such as Employment Insurance (EI) and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). As a permanent resident, you are eligible for a permanent SIN that does not expire. You can apply in person at any Service Canada office, online through the Service Canada portal, or by mail. You will need to bring your COPR, eCOPR, or PR card along with your passport. Permanent residents receive a SIN that does not start with 9; temporary residents receive a SIN starting with 9 that expires.
A key point: you can legally start working as soon as you apply for your SIN. You do not need to wait for the actual SIN to arrive in your hands. Some employers mistakenly require you to have the number before starting work, but Service Canada allows you to begin employment once you have applied. Provide your SIN to your employer when you receive it.
Register Your Address with IRCC
As mentioned above, submit your Canadian residential address within 180 days through your Permanent Residence Portal. Ensure the address will be valid for at least 30 days, as this is where your PR card will be mailed. If you are moving within a few weeks, update your address with IRCC before you move to avoid delays or missing your card.
Keep Your COPR Safe
Once you land and receive your PR card, keep your original COPR in a safe place. You may need it in the future if you apply for Canadian citizenship, renew your PR card, or need to correct information on official records. The COPR remains an important document throughout your life as a permanent resident and Canadian citizen.
Your COPR Expiry Date
Your COPR has an expiry date. If you are applying from outside Canada, you must present it to a CBSA officer before that date. If your COPR expires before you land, you can no longer use it to enter Canada as a permanent resident. Keep an eye on the expiry date from the moment you receive it. If you cannot complete your landing before that date and additional medical exams or other documents are needed, contact IRCC or your authorized representative immediately to discuss your options.
Keep reading — Permanent Residence
Express Entry explainedThe points-based system (CRS) for skilled workers — Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class and Federal Skilled Trades — and how draws work.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)Each province nominates people who fit its labour needs — often a faster PR route if you have ties to a specific province.Always verify with official sources before acting on the information above.